Apparatus for regulating the fermentation of beer



(No Model.)

C. SOHUNOK.

APPARATUS FOR RBGULATING THE FBRMENITYATIONYOP BEER.

No. 276,088; I Patented Apr. 17,1883.

, fig 6 Z 4 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES SOHUNOK, ()F GREEN BAY, \VISUONSIN.

APPARATUS FOR REGULATING THE FERMENTATION OF BEER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 276,083, dated April17, 1883.

Application filed J nnc 1, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES SoHUNcK, acitizen of the United States, residing at Green Bay, in the county ofBrown and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Apparatus for Regulating the Fermentation of Beer; and Ido hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures ofreference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improved apparatus for regulating thefermentation of beer; and it consists in the construction and arrangement of devices, as hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the annexed drawings, illustrating the invention, Figure 1 representsan end elevation of a series of casks with my improved bunging apparatusattached thereto, so as to connect said casks and conduct the excess ofcarbonicacid gas away from the cellarorroom in which thefermentation iseffected. Fig.2 shows sectional details of my improved bung. Fig. 3 is asimilar view of the same, showing the devices for modifying or retardingthe pressure as applied to one barrel or cask. Fig. 4 is a sideelevation, partly in section, of my improved devices for modifying thepressure; and Fig. 5 is a section and end view of aslotted tube forminga part of said devices.

Like letters of reference are used to designate the same parts in theseveral views.

In arranging the details of my invention the fermenting-casks A areprovided with bungs or bung-faucets B, as shown in Fig.1. These bungsare provided with openings having tubular projections or nozzles a forthe attachment of the flexible tubings b I), which connect the severalcasks of a series, each separate tube 1) being provided centrally with acook or faucet, c. The bung inserted in the last or farther cask of theseries requires only one of these nozzles a, while the bungs inserted inthe other casks of the series require two. The tubes 1) are arranged topermit the escape of any excess of carbonic-acid gas generated by thefermentation of the beer, the removal of which gas, together with theheated air, tends to purify and ventilate the beer, thereby rendering itmild. To one of the nozzles to of the bung inserted in .the first caskof the series is attached a flexible tube, d, that communicates with aT-tube, O, which is provided with cocks e 6, between which is placed atube communicating with the pressure-gage D, which has a dial and indexfor indicating the degree of pressure exerted by the carbonic-acid gas.In the end of the gagetube 0, to which is attached an exit pipe, f,leading from the fermenting-apartment, and partially surrounded by saidexit-pipe, is arranged a slotted tube, E. This slotted tubeis externallyscrew-threaded, so as to be turned into its seat, as shown in Figs. 3and 4: to a greater or less extent, thereby exposing more or less of itsslotted sides and modifying or retarding the flow of gas, so as tolessen or increase the pressure within the casks. The bungs B are eachprovided, in addition to the nozzle a, with a nozzle, h, for theattachment of a tube, i, used for racking off the beer when required.Each bung is also provided with a two-way cock, k, that may be turned soas to govern the various exits as desired.

It will be seen that by this apparatus an exit is afforded for theescape of the excess of carbonic acid, while its pressure is readilyregulated by simply manipulating the slotted tube E.

By attaching the slotted tube E to the bungnozzle h of any one cask, asshown in Fig. 4, the advantages will be the same, the indicator D,attached to the nozzle a, serving to show the degree of pressure fromtime to time, in the same manner as when the apparatus is applied to aseries of casks.

By this arrangement of devices beer can be racked off from any one of aseries of casks and the emptied cask be disconnected from the serieswithoutdisturbing the remainingcasks.

It will be seen that when the apparatus is employed with a series ofcasks the cooks e 6, attached to the gage-tube (.l,may be turned so asto cut oil the gas entirely or break the force of its exit. The cocks cand k are used to control their respective passages according tocircumstances. The various devices are simple, convenient, and readilyapplied, and may be used with any number of casks.

5 Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

The combination of a series of casks, A A, bungs B, having two-way cocks7c, nozzles to a IO and h, the tubes 1) I), provided with cocks c, the

gage-tube 0, having cocks e c and tubes d], the indicatorD, slotted tubeE, and flexible tube 2', as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES SOHUNCK. Witnesses:

BERNARD M. BERENDSEN, H. 'l. E. BERENDsEN.

